Pattern Drafting

I've been working on those patterns again.  I'm working from photographs so getting the right size is a bit tricky.

Here is how I go about it.  First I print out a photo of the block and mark the half way mark.  The photo is about 7 inches.  Then I cut out some of this grid pattern making fabric.  The size I am going for is 14 inches.

Then I start cutting some templates/shapes from graph paper.  Don't know why but the graph paper works best for me...helps give me perspective as I start trimming.  Usually I start with the largest piece (the vase), then a medium (the pear) and then a small (a bud).  I want them to be right relative to one another. Also, I use a clothes pin to keep the templates together...when they are labeled in red they are the final one!

In the past I've done a mock-up using colored construction paper to check my templates.  This time I had piles of felted wool on the cutting table soooo.....

The colors are a nod to the original....and just need to be pressed on to the flannel background and a bit of stitching...

So now I have to go by the fabric store on Monday and get more of this bright green flannel...looks like I'll be making two small quilts this summer!

Lost threads...

Bad enough my cat Brownie has a thing for bits of fabric and likes to carry off quilt blocks to her hiding place behind the couch.  Now Dobby, my big male cat, has developed a thing for balls of thick embroidery thread.

I looked all over the living room today for a ball of red Valdarni No 8...I just used it yesterday.  Silly me should have known to look under the cat!

There was one problem...he didn't want to let go....note the ears and the claws...it took a lot of treats to ransom back that ball of thread!

When I wasn't trying to search and sort the leftovers from my last project I was making decisions on my next one...

The "set aside" stash with potential fabrics.

some of you may recognize the block in the back.  I have permission from Bill to use it...After collecting fabrics for the past couple of months and drafting the patterns for a couple of the blocks it really is time to start stitching!

The "go dark" option...

The oxblood red and the green fabric was amazingly easy...I had some in my stash.  Just an amusing note...I had three different versions of the green on the shelf.  The one I'm using is slightly darker than I'd like but the print is the smallest.  As the blocks are going to be reduced in size to 8-1/2 inches scale of the print is a big consideration.  The yellow/oragne and the purple/gray...now those have been a challenge

The "light with print" option

I pulled the purples that scale didn't work then paired the darker purples with the darker yellow-orange then did the same for the light.

The medium with solids

One of my yellows has a bit of a print but I keep going back to it for the color....

I considered mixing up the fabrics and making it scrappy (that would be making it more me...) but I think that would also lose some of the naivete of the original piece.  So I'm back to picking four fabrics...sheesh...

Luckily the first block I'm going to make only used the green and oxblood...buys me a bit more time for that yellow/orange...

and here is how Dobby the cat felt when he realized I had hidden all the balls of thread...the boy really needs his nails clipped!

Wool Project finish

Really enjoyed doing the embroidery on this little project from last weekend's workshop with Lisa Bongean.  Amazing to watch how much the piece changes as the embroidery is added.  I decided to add a bit of piecing to the sides to make a  20 inch pillow/cushion. (this was photographed on the back of a chair...it really is flat and even in real life!)

I have another wool project that I will start after I get another finish under my belt!  Today I basted my challenge quilt for the show in October and hope to finish quilting it tomorrow.  (want to get it done so I can play with wool again!)

While I was away at the workshop my Dh was looking though the second hand book stores (we do that most weekends!)  He was excited to find a quilting book with a name he recognized...

First is a Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham book from 1993 - Quilting with Style  I love this book!  It is really dense with information and has great photographs.  Really is helpful to understand selecting and marking a quilt.  I think it works for both hand and machine quilting.  Second is the Quilted Clothing by Jean Ray Laury published in 1982.  Interesting to see the variety of styles in this book which was written as quilting was really coming into its own.

Still a bit worn out the trip.  Another day of so and I'll have recovered enough to want to do it all over again!

Workshop and roadtrip

Two days road-tripping with quilting friends to attend a wool applique workshop with Lisa Bongean and searching for that perfect purple for an applique workshop wore me out!

The workshop was hosted by the Cobb County Quilt Guild.  They did a great job.  Lisa is a wonderful teacher.  Any workshop where you complete 70% of the project during the actual workshop is a winner in my book!  Learned a lot of different techniques too.  The fabrics are a bit darker than I can usually work with but I'm going to finish it up with a bit of crazy quilted wools for a border and make a pillow/cushion.

One the way to Atlanta we stopped at Sweet Home Quilting in Conyers.  Really a cute shop.  It was in the Quilt Sampler Magazine a few issue ago.

Then on the way home after the workshop we stopped at Little Quilts in Marietta.  Another great shop...I think I'm having a case of quilt shop envy!  We don't have a real quilt shop in my part of the state and these are a three hour drive.

These are some of the purples I found that may go into my next project.  I have spent the last six months in search of the "perfect" purple for a civil war reproduction quilt.  I think now I just have to pick from the stack that I have stashed away for the project and get going...after taking another nap.

Donation Quilt...one step closer!

The final applique block for the center of my guild's next donation quilt came in the mail yesterday!  Can finally get the middle together and start work on the inner borders...

I think this will be a fun quilt and will raise some funds for Camp Rainbow - a camp run by a local hospital for children with cancer and other illnesses that require medical supervision.

Tomorrow I go to Atlanta for a wool applique class on Saturday.  It is just a bit too far to drive there and back in one day.  Besides it gives me an excuse to visit some fabric stores!

I played with wools and buttons a bit this week.  Needed a quiet project that didn't involve running to the sewing machine or ironing board.  I'm going to do a bit more stitching on this and then maybe make a small wall hanging.  The photo peeking out on the right (what to add to plain shortbread cookies...as if butter and sugar isn't good enough!)

Long weekend....

Usually on Memorial Day I would help serve breakfast at the local VFW.  This year my legs are a bit unpredictable so instead I'm taking the day off and staying safely in my sewing-room.  (The last thing I need to be is around hot stoves and breakable items!)

The past few days I've moved more supplies back into the rearranged sewing room.  I am sort of amazed at just how much thread I've found!  I mean I'm used to dealing with my fabric stash but a thread stash?  Who knew...

in tin containers...

in drawers...

project bags...

on shelves...

and even in some containers made to hold thread....

I must buy thread every time I go into a fabric store!  So I am rounding it all up and putting it the new drawers in the sewing room.  Now it will be as easy to find it at home as in the store!

Anne Orr stitching patterns

Still doing lots of binding, sleeves and labels.  Doesn't make for the most exciting of stitching nor of blog-posts!

Did stop by my guild bee today to take some photos for the paper.  There were lots of fun projects going on including and almost finished Easy Street done in Madi Gra Colors...(perhaps she could call it Bourbon Street...Canal Street...lots of options!)

Also, a quilter was cleaning out some of her Mom's fabric and patterns.  It was mainly needlepoint and embroidery patterns from the 1900's to the 1930's.  This envelope caught my eye...Anne Orr.

This is the same Anne Orr who designed many quilt patterns.  Many of her quilt designs reflect her background in needlepoint designs.   She ran a successful pattern mail-order business from Nashville, TN and published in many magazines.

 Unfortunately all of the patterns were already claimed but when I explained what they were I was given one to keep with the quilt history papers!

Antique quilt top...

So difficult to watch all the coverage of the tornado damage out in Oklahoma.  Thoughts and prayers go out to all.  I made our donation to the Red Cross.  Still feel a bit helpless...

On the quilt front I got this antique/vintage quilt top in the mail yesterday.  It as an impulse purchase on Ebay...think if I saw it in real life I would not have gotten it.

The fabrics are interesting but it just isn't speaking to me...I'll put it away for a few weeks and try again later. If not then I'll give it to AQSG for their silent auction this fall...

In the sewing room I pulled out another quilt that just needed some binding...

I put this Halloween quilt on the table and tossed fabrics at it...not very scientific but I found one I like!  I'm making the binding this afternoon.  Now I know this quilt isn't on my 2013 but it is sooo close to being finished!  Also, I think I just forgot about when I was making the list...

On the pet front...Brownie is taking advantage of her bind sick and is staying in the sewing studio.  I think she  likes being the only cat in the space!  Mac is doing a bit better.  It is however getting more and more difficult to get him to take his pill.  He no longer trusts turkey sausage, tuna, peanut butter, or cheese.  I had to go out and get a rotisserie chicken today...after that I may be out of options!

Disappearing 9-patch

A neighbor came by yesterday wanting to know how to do a disappearing 9-patch.  How often does that happen!

She is a new quilter and had watched an online video but hesitant to go it alone...so now I have another UFO!  It is a very fun method and quick...this table runner only took a couple hours to make.  (Would have been faster if I wasn't talking someone through the process...like that saying, "if it will take one quilter one hour then it will take two quilters two hours..."  Basically to do this you make a 9-patch (my squares are 5 inches unfinished) then slice the 9-patch through the center block giving you sashing and cornerstones.

I wanted to get a picture of hers before she left - she used cat fabrics!  I think I'll finish up this Christmas one today before it gets lost in the UFO pile...(it measures 34-1/2 by 15 finished)

Update on the pets...Brownie is doing fine.  Macbeth is having problems with stairs and still sleeps most of the day.  Last night he had a panic attach (don't know what else to call it.)  We ended up sleeping on the floor in the living room for most of the night...it was the only way to keep him calm.